This book explores the communication challenges faced by parents as they raise children who are bi-cultural, multi-cultural, or are adopted from a heritage other than the parents. Each contributor views the family as a site of intercultural dialogue and mediation, and uses compelling studies throughout to examine the parents who creatively balance cultural influences within their families. Using television depictions of parents on Modern Family and All-American Muslim to the everyday activities of mixed-ethnicity and international families, Mediating Cultures reports the communication strategies employed by the parents as they strive to create affirming relationships between children and their heritages. This collection brings together two largely separate literatures of family communication and intercultural communication studies with accessible yet context-driven studies to explain how families integrate multiple cultural heritages and perspectives.

This book explores the communication challenges faced by parents as they raise children who are bi-cultural, multi-cultural, or are adopted from a heritage other than the parents. Each contributor views the family as a site of intercultural dialogue and mediation, and uses compelling studies throughout to examine the parents who creatively balance cultural influences within their families. Using television depictions of parents on Modern Family and All-American Muslim to the everyday activities of mixed-ethnicity and international families, Mediating Cultures reports the communication strategies employed by the parents as they strive to create affirming relationships between children and their heritages. This collection brings together two largely separate literatures of family communication and intercultural communication studies with accessible yet context-driven studies to explain how families integrate multiple cultural heritages and perspectives.

The definition of what a "family" is has changed dramatically over the past few decades….Family Communication: Relationship Foundations features traditional as well as emerging diverse family types in the application and analysis of communication theories and concepts. From acknowledging the influence of family diversity to exploring the challenges presented by new technologies, this text provides a framework for describing, analyzing and strategizing for effective communication.  Designed for both undergraduate and graduate-level family communication courses, Family Communication: Relationship Foundations: Focuses on the evolution of communication phenomenon from a variety of perspectives - parent/child, sibling, and grandparent/grandchild. Includes unique case studies of family communication throughout the lifespan to explicate theories and concepts. Incorporates application-based exercises to assist the reader in identifying ways to integrate and use the concepts to enhance his/her own family relationships. Encourages the reader to begin his/her journey by identifying their own family type and structure and exploring the influence of their family of origin in shaping current communication behaviors.  Engages the reader by integrating popular culture examples drawing on the portrayals of family interactions in movies and on television.